Disconnect mechanism for a tandem axle system

Abstract

A vehicle includes a tandem axle system having an inter-axle differential and clutching assembly, a forward or first axle assembly, and a rear or second axle assembly. The inter-axle differential and clutching assembly includes a differential mechanism having first and second side gears and a clutch mechanism having a clutch member and an actuator assembly. At least one of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly is in selective driving engagement with the inter-axle differential and clutching assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tandem axle system comprising:
 a first axle assembly; 
 a second axle assembly; 
 an inter-axle differential and clutching assembly coupled to at least one of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly, wherein the inter-axle differential and clutching assembly includes an inter-axle differential having a differential mechanism and a clutch mechanism, wherein the inter-axle differential includes an inter-axle differential lock, wherein the differential mechanism is at least partially disposed in a housing and includes a first side gear drivingly connected to one of the first and second axle assemblies, and a second side gear disposed about a pinion drivingly connected to a remaining one of the first and second axle assemblies, and wherein the clutch mechanism includes a movable clutch member disposed on the pinion and configured to selectively engage the second side gear. 
 
     
     
       2. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly includes a plurality of axle half shafts. 
     
     
       3. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein the differential mechanism further includes a bearing disposed between the second side gear and the pinion. 
     
     
       4. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein the clutch member is in splined engagement with the pinion. 
     
     
       5. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein the second side gear includes a plurality of first teeth and a plurality of second teeth formed thereon. 
     
     
       6. The tandem axle system of  claim 5 , wherein the clutch member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon. 
     
     
       7. The tandem axle system of  claim 6 , wherein the teeth of the clutch member selectively engages the first teeth formed on the second side gear. 
     
     
       8. The tandem axle system of  claim 5 , wherein the second teeth of the second side gear are in meshed engagement with at least one pinion gear of the differential mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein the inter-axle differential lock selectively engages the housing of the differential mechanism. 
     
     
       10. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein the inter-axle differential lock includes a main body having a plurality of teeth formed thereon. 
     
     
       11. The tandem axle system of  claim 10 , wherein the main body of the inter-axle differential lock is disposed about the second side gear. 
     
     
       12. The tandem axle system of  claim 11 , wherein the teeth of the main body of the inter-axle differential lock selectively engages a plurality of teeth formed on the housing of the differential mechanism. 
     
     
       13. The tandem axle system of  claim 1 , wherein the inter-axle differential further includes an actuator assembly configured to selectively engage and disengage at least one of the clutch mechanism and the inter-axle differential lock.